We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Source apportionment of microplastics in indoor dust: Two strategies based on shape and composition
Summary
Researchers developed a shape-based index using laser direct infrared analysis of over 100,000 microplastic particles in indoor dust from 39 Chinese cities to quantify the contribution of textile fiber shedding as a source of indoor microplastic contamination.
Microplastic (MP) pollution is widely distributed in the environment. However, methods for source apportionment of MPs are still lacking. In this study, the shape and size of 102,860 MPs in indoor dust from 39 cities of China were analyzed by laser direct infrared, and accordingly, a shape index (f) based on MP's aspect ratio was developed to assess the contribution of textiles release. In addition, a composition index (f) based on the ratio of the mass concentration of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to polyamide (PA), which were detected by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, was proposed. The contribution of textile source and non-textile source to the indoor MPs were also estimated based on f. It is estimated by f that 43% of MPs in indoor dust was released from textiles. Among the most abundant MPs in indoor dust, 98% of polyurethane, 94% of PA and 92% of PET come from the textile source, 76% of polypropylene and almost all of polyethylene come from the non-textile source. f indicates that 83% of PET MPs comes from textile source, i.e., polyester. Considering the application proportion of PET in textile and non-textile industry, it is estimated that 59% of MPs in indoor dust comes from textile source, which is similar to the result obtained by f.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Microplastics/microfibers in settled indoor house dust—exploratory case study for 10 residential houses in the Kanto area of Japan
Researchers conducted the first survey of indoor microplastics in settled house dust from Japanese homes, finding large quantities of cellulose, PET, polyethylene, and other polymer particles using complementary FTIR and laser infrared analysis methods.
Indoor Microplastics: A Comprehensive Review and Bibliometric Analysis
This comprehensive review and bibliometric analysis summarizes research on indoor microplastic contamination, covering sampling methods, identification techniques, and concentration levels in dust, deposition, and air samples. Fiber-shaped microplastics are the most commonly detected indoors, with dust and deposition samples showing higher concentrations than air samples.
Morphological and Chemical Analysis of Indoor Airborne Microplastics: Implications for Human Health in Ahvaz, Iran
Researchers collected indoor airborne microplastics and performed detailed morphological and chemical characterization, assessing the particle types, polymer identities, and surface properties of what people inhale in enclosed spaces. The study found a diverse mixture of synthetic fiber fragments and plastic particles in indoor air.
Airborne microplastics in indoor and outdoor environments of a developing country in South Asia: abundance, distribution, morphology, and possible sources
Researchers quantified airborne microplastic concentrations in indoor and outdoor environments in a South Asian developing country, characterizing particle abundance, size distribution, morphology, and potential sources, finding significant microplastic air pollution in a lower-middle-income country context.
Indoor microplastics: a comprehensive review and bibliometric analysis
This review summarizes research on microplastic pollution inside buildings, where people spend most of their time. Indoor environments generally have higher microplastic concentrations than outdoors, with fiber-shaped particles from synthetic textiles being the most common type. Since people inhale and ingest these particles daily, indoor microplastic exposure may be a significant and underappreciated route of human health risk.